Copper(II) complexes with tridentate N2O donor Schiff base isomers: Modulation of molecular and crystalline architectures through supramolecular interactions

Abstract

Four copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L1)(μ-Cl)]n (1), [Cu2(L2)2(μ-Cl)2] (2), [Cu(L1)(μ1,5-NCNCN)]n (3) and [Cu(L2)(μ1,5-NCNCN)]n (4), where HL1=1-[(2-dimethylamino-ethylimino)-methyl]-naphthalen-2-ol and HL2=1-[(2-ethylamino-ethylimino)-methyl]-naphthalen-2-ol, acting as tridentate N2O donor ligands, have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Complexes 1, 3 and 4 show polymeric chain structures, whereas 2 has a double chloride bridged dimeric structure. The existence of C–H⋯π interactions between the dimeric units of 2 gives rise to a 2D supramolecular network. Complex 3 shows a zipper structure through π⋯π interactions between two polymeric chains. Complex 4 shows hydrogen bonding interactions which produces a 2D hydrogen bonded structure and these 2D layers then show interlayer π⋯π interactions.